This workshop explores the art of drawing and painting yantras, along with the deeply meditative experience a yantra can offer to those on a path of self-discovery. Especially for Westerners whose education typically emphasizes the left hemisphere of the brain, drawing and colouring these sacred, ancient diagrams acts as a balance (as do music, dance, and all of the arts) to nourish imagination, faith, calm, and awareness.

Samantha Salvat will introduce you to the Ganesh (also spelt Ganesa or Ganesha and known as Ganapati, Vinayaka and Pillaiyar) is the Lord of Good Fortune who provides prosperity, fortune and success. He is the Lord of Beginnings and the Remover of Obstacles, at both levels of the material and spiritual.

Registration will close on June 10, 2017, or when program has reached its maximum capacity of 20

Samantha Salvat, artist and therapist, has exhibited in galleries, public spaces and community events internationally for over 20 years. Her art studies, which started in Canada, have taken her to the United States, Mexico, Italy, England, Czech Republic and Spain. In addition to art, she is deeply committed to a personal path of integrative transformation and transpersonal connection. Presently she resides in West Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband and their two sons.

Arrival: We are requesting all NEW STUDENTS to arrive at 20 mins early on June 14 to sign a waiver and complete any final registration details, set up your space, enjoy a cup of tea and settle in before the start of the teachings. If you are going to be running late at any point during the weekend, please text Sindy Taylor 604 499 2883, so we can be aware of your arrival time.

Lunches & Breaks: We will take a lunch break around 2:00 or 2:30 for 60 minutes, and have a 10-15 minute break in the morning session and the afternoon session. There is a fridge, microwave and kettle at the centre for your own meal or snack preparations. We recommend that you bring your own water bottle, coffee/tea thermal cup, as we will be serving a selection of herbal teas and refreshments over the weekend.

Seating: Please bring something to sit comfortably on the floor, such as a yoga mat, back-jack, low chair, or cushion for your comfort, there will also be chairs and cushions at the studio for your use. There will be standing, sitting, and laying during the workshop.

What to Bring: Bring a notebook and pen and indoor shoes/slippers for the teaching space, your lunch if preferred, and an extra layer to keep you warm between practices.

Tools to Bring: Black Sharpie Paint Marker Fine Tip Pen, and a round flat, smooth rock/s, medium size, light in colour or painted white. (You may bring other colours, but they are not necessary.)

Parking: There are several options for parking in the area. There are two pay parking lots; the DPC parking connected to Safeway (on Broadway and MacDonald), or the small lot off Stephens in the alley between Broadway and 10th Avenue. There is free parking is on Broadway, 2 and 3 blocks east of the studio (between Larch Street and Vine Street), on both sides of the street. Some areas of the side streets around the studio and on Balsam have ‘free’ parking as well.

Transit: The studio is located on the 99 B-Line Express Bus Line, get off at MacDonald and walk up the hill towards the studio (1.5 blocks). This bus can be boarded between Commercial-Broadway Sky Train and University of British Columbia at special 99 B-Line stops only. Other buses that stop close to the studio are 14, 9, 2 and 22.

Feel free to contact the Ontogony Team for any further assistance or questions you may have, and we are happy to get right back to you. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the centre; for a wonderful weekend full of creativity, art, laughter and sharing.